Brianna Davis Johnson feels called to help at COTC/OSUN
NEWARK – As a child, she dreamed of being a leader and helping people. She just wasn’t sure how.
“When I was very young,” recalled Brianna Davis Johnson, “I thought I would become a teacher, and then later a physician.”
“I decided on a career in the education field during my sophomore year of college,” she continued. “I always knew I wanted to maximize the number of people I could help, which led me to aspire to a leadership role. It was during my master’s program that I learned about administrators who focused on improving campus culture and climate.”
Today, Johnson is the director of diversity, equity, and inclusion/chief diversity officer role at both COTC and Ohio State Newark. “It’s a brand-new position,” she said. “I develop and lead our efforts to ensure our faculty, staff and student populations include individuals
from a variety of backgrounds. That people who study and work here feel valued and included. And that the institutional policies and practices are fair and equitable. I also work with community partners to help make the communities surrounding our campuses more welcoming to people of various backgrounds.”
Johnson grew up in Kansas, Missouri and Wisconsin. She went to high school in Brookfield, WI, then graduated in 2011 from Washington University in St. Louis where she majored in educational studies and urban studies. She went on to earn a master’s in higher education administration and policy from Northwestern University, then a PH.D. in educational leadership and policy from The University of Texas at Austin.
“My parents taught me to think independently,” she said, “which helped me feel comfortable using my voice to articulate my ideas to others. My two younger brothers were born when I was 6 and 12-years-old, and as the oldest child I learned responsibility and leadership skills by helping to care for them.” Fast forward. Johnson came to Newark in January.
“Brianna,” said William Macdonald, dean/director of Ohio State Newark, “has worked quickly to connect with faculty, staff, students and organizations in the community. Her vision and optimism are energizing. Even though she’s been here only a short time, she’s already succeeded in bringing people together to effect change.”
“I feel called to help,” Johnson noted. “I understand the importance of feeling included in the organization and community on a deeply personal level.”
Aces of Trades is a weekly series focusing on people and their jobs – whether they're unusual jobs, fun jobs or people who take ordinary jobs and make them extraordinary. If you have a suggestion for a future profile, let us know at advocate@newarkadvocate.com or 740-328-8821.